hearth and home – Author M. A. Phillips

For Dinner Tonight

All homemade, local and/or organic. Also vegan! Potato, leek, and fennel soup, baked acorn squash, and steamed Brussels sprouts over couscous.

A kettle can be looked at much like the cauldron, a goddess symbol with connections to both Earth and Water elements. The above quote is from Juniper on one of the tools of hearth craft. This idea really resonates with me and I’m amazed that I didn’t make that connection before. Sure, I see myContinue reading “Tea Kettles”

In the Kitchen

I love working in my kitchen. When I’m there, I feel close to Brighid, my patroness and guardian of the hearth. Over the years, I’ve turned into a real foodie. I love making my own food. If I can grow it, that’s even better! The kitchen is a great place to adopt aContinue reading “In the Kitchen”

Looking Forward to the New Year

I do consider Samhain to be the beginning of my spiritual year, but I also cannot deny the status quo in regards to modern society. Generations have looked to the point between December and January as the threshold to a new year and the continual existence of all. I can’t deny the power associated withContinue reading “Looking Forward to the New Year”

Personal Religion

Ireland has captured my imagination, for better or for worse. A few years earlier, I never would have believed that I would be seriously studying Irish lore, Irish history, considering learning the Irish language, and worshiping the Irish Gods. A few years ago, the Irish Gods were “the strange Gods with even stranger names.” In a society thatContinue reading “Personal Religion”

My Home Shrine

Creating a shrine was not a difficult requirement for me as I’ve been making altars for a few years. The challenge, however, was making an altar in accordance with a hearth culture and within a Druidic framework. Having started on a Pagan path through Wicca, I was used to having certain articles on my altar. When I realizedContinue reading “My Home Shrine”

Hospitality and Piety

I love having company over. I so rarely get to see the people I consider my tribe, so it was a real treat to have friends visit. We had a lot of fun in Alex Bay and Watertown, but we mostly stayed home for chatting, snacking, and playing copious amounts of games. If only thereContinue reading “Hospitality and Piety”

The Energy in our Homes

Ok…this isn’t technically Druidic in a cultural sense … but it has everything to do with energy. I believe that looking to and learning from other cultures, even ones dramatically different from our hearth cultures of choice, is necessary to grow. I’m curious about feng shui. The idea that energy flows in and out ofContinue reading “The Energy in our Homes”